Mary Elizabeth Birch

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her children: Karen Moore - Phillip (Allison): Dean, Jesse, and James; Richard (Amber Simmons): Cruz and Avery; Charlene; Bill Schroeder (Janice) - Dawn, Lindsay, and Jenna; Linda Birch (Rick Germs) - Elizabeth (Clark Lonsdale): Abigail, Veronica, and Zayne; Bill Birch - Levi (Nancy): Serena and Addlyn; Tyler (Courtney Gromberg); and Valerie (Doug) Faulkner - Ashley; Brenda's sons Garrett Birch and Clayton Rosaasen; sister Audrey Bursinger; and brother Jim Bergman; as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Bob Bell; daughter Brenda Birch; great-grandson Elliott Moore; son-in-law Harold Moore; and siblings Verna, Chuck, Richard, Kenny, Annie, and Leonard.

Eulogy by Linda Birch

Hello, my name is Linda. I am one of Mary’s daughters. Thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of our Mom, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, sister and dear friend.

Mom was one of the strongest women I knew. She lost her own mother at the young age of 12, which could not have been easy. Then in later life she was a single mother to us 5 kids for a short time, but she took it in stride and was a very caring and loving mother. We all like to think she did a mighty fine job of raising all of us.

Mom made a lot of new friends in North Battleford when she moved from Milden. We would like to make a special mention of one friend in particular that lived in her apartment building. Mom considered her an adopted daughter. We would like to thank her for all she has done for our Mom from the time she moved in until she passed away. Shelley, words cannot express our gratitude. I am going to miss you two bantering back and forth.

We spent many summer weekends going camping, first at Clearwater Lake renting a cabin then later going to Wakaw and camping in the tent trailer with her and our dad’s best friends, Fran and John Friesen. I myself enjoyed a couple of summers going to the Country Jamboree in Craven with Mom, Dad, Fran and John. Mom really enjoyed our time at the jamboree and looked forward to the next year.

Growing up, Saturdays were for playing cards with friends with a nickel ante, whether at our house or theirs. Mom always made roast beef on Sundays, no one missed that dinner, she was an awesome cook. There was never an empty seat at the table. As kids for fun we would wake mom up when she was sleeping on the couch by either changing channels on the TV or turning it off. She would wake up and say one of two things, I was just resting my eyes, turn it back on or I was watching that.

I remember when I was about 12, shortly after Mom got her driver’s license every Sunday we would go to Dairy Queen for ice cream. On our way there one Sunday Mom hit a parked car and sent us tumbling to the floor. Needless to say we didn’t make it to Dairy Queen and she never took us there again.

We rarely ever saw Mom really mad, but you sure knew it when the “F” word became part of her vocabulary

Mom always looked forward to her grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit. As they were scattered it was always a special time when she saw them, whether they visited her or she went to visit them.

Mom was forever working on something, whether it was cross stitch, quilting or knitting and every morning while having coffee she was always doing crossword puzzles.

One afternoon while she was in ICU a male nurse came into Mom’s room to check on her, after he walked out of the room she said to Karen and Charlene, “He has a nice bum.”

She was full of life, and laughter with a quick wit and a great sense of humour right up to the day she passed.

Mom we will miss your spunk, your laughter and your ability to make us all laugh with you.

Mom we want to thank you for being you and always being there for us. You will forever be in our hearts. We love you.

Mom, Grandma, G.G., we will miss you. You will forever be in our hearts.

A Service of Remembrance to celebrate Mary’s life was held on Thursday, August 28, 2014 from Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home with Mrs. Joyce Salie officiating. If friends so desire, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.

The family has placed their trust with Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford. (306) 445-2418